Outkast's Big Boi and Andre 3000 are arguing with their own label, Jive Records, over Big Boi's new solo album. Because Andre 3000 recorded three songs for Big Boi's Sir Luscious Left Foot, Jive is blocking its release, claiming that Def Jam can't issue songs featuring both rappers.

"It's plain stupidity," Big Boi told GQ magazine. "It's stupid business and it's stupid politics." The "stupidity" runs even deeper than it may at first seem. Not only is Jive the label representing Outkast – it was originally slated to release Sir Luscious Left Foot.

"Jive Records told me my album [was] a piece of art, and they didn't know what to do with it," Big Boi explained. Because none of the singles seemed radio-friendly, they eventually released the rapper from his contract. He then turned to Def Jam, which plans to release his solo debut on 6 July.

But it seems that what Jive didn't want, no one else can have. "We can't be on songs together now," Big Boi said. Andre 3000 recorded verses for three of Big Boi's solo tracks: Royal Flush, Lookin for Ya, and an unnamed song. "We tried to get everything solidified but Jive said, 'Naw.'" he explained. "Then I was going to take Dre off and make my own version [of Lookin for Ya], but then I thought, 'No. Fuck that. If he can't be on it, then I'm not using it.'"

The problems with Jive run deeper still. Big Boi said he felt insulted by the label's attitude to his solo album, which he has been working on for several years. "Jive [had new single] Shutterbug for three years, and [new leak] General Patton for three years. You see what I'm saying? They told me to go in and make my version of Lil Wayne's Lollipop! ... how you gonna tell me to go bite another MCs style? How are you even going to open your mouth up to tell me to go and do that? That's the highest form of disrespect ever. So that's when I wanted to get off Jive. And the only honorable thing they've done is allow me to do that."

Fortunately for his fans, Big Boi isn't going to let Jive push him around. "They can't stop us, man," he said. "For these people that we don't even know – that haven't even had a hand in our career at all – that's fucking blasphemy." While Royal Flush leaked in 2008, Lookin for Ya mysteriously appeared online this week. "Either they're going to do it the right way, or they're going to do it my way," Big Boi said. "I'm no stranger to that internet, baby."